CITYLINK - Friends of Chartres
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
January 2022
Issue 86
CITYLINK
Chairman's Letter
Michael Bevis writes:
In this first edition of Citylink in 2022 I will be taking a brief look back over events
which took place in the run up to Christmas and looking forward to our new
programme.
The talk by David Bridges about Uppark and the subsequent visit took place on the 7th
and 9th September. Both were thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended. On the 9th
November we met to hear an illustrated lecture by art historian Richard Whincop
entitled In the National Interest: Art, the Sun King and the Academic Revolution We hope
to be able to persuade Richard to return and speak to us again.
The 25th November is quite early to begin Christmas celebrations but we were very
pleased once again to be able to hold our soiree in the Sherbourne Room at the Bishop’s
Palace where we were entertained by a talented group of musicians from the University
of Chichester. David Nason was able to tell us about the history of the room. It seems
there was sponsorship around even in the 16th century! Anne-Louise Briggs
organised boxes of bread and delicious individual cheeses. The picnic boxes made us
“Covid Secure” and the charming red checked mini paper inserts gave the boxes a Gallic
flavour.
Those of us who are intent on improving our French have enjoyed the Language Circles.
More challenging, but worthwhile and fun, have been the Zoom sessions with our
friends in Chartres.
We are starting the New Year with a social evening at the Oxmarket Gallery when we
will hear talks by two exhibiting artists accompanied by a glass of wine on Tuesday 18th
January.
We are planning to hold our Annual Dinner on Thursday 17th February at Chichester
College. More details and The Form for Events is included as an insert.
All members will receive formal notice of the AGM which will take place on 22nd March
when some small amendments to the Constitution will be proposed. Fish and Chips will
be provided and I will be talking about my aunt’s time working for the United Nations
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) immediately after the end of the
Second World War. She had a journey through France with an overnight stay in
Chartres on 16th June 1945.
We really are hoping that our exchange visit to Chartres, postponed for two years, will
take place from Thursday 28th April to Monday 2nd May.
Finally, Stephen Northdale has asked me to remind you subs for 2022 are now due!
Bonne année!
Letter from the Présidente of the Amis de Chichester
Yvonne Chrétien writes:
Since my previous article for Citylink, I organised a visit to the Castle of Montigny-le-
Gannelon for the Friends of Chichester on 29h September 2021. This castle is situated
about 60 kilometers south of Chartres on the Loir River, not the more famous la Loire.
Although the castle is not as well-known as la Loire's castles, nevertheless, it is
charming, very well furnished and situated in a lovely park with old trees.
In the morning, the owners themselves took us around, and afterwards we sat down to
lunch in the Orangerie of the castle.
In the afternoon, we went to Bonneval where we boarded small electric boats to visit
the canals of the area known as the small Venice.
We were just 19 people but once again we were lucky with the weather and spent a
pleasant day enjoying the countryside and each other’s company.
Now I wish you all the best for Christmas and the year 2022. Hoping we can see each
other in Chartres in April and at last visit Vaux-le-Vicomte !
Yvonne CHRETIEN
Obituary: Michael Woolley
Anne Scicluna remembers Michael Woolley:
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michael Woolley on 3rd October.
Michael was a staunch supporter of international friendship, and a man who lived up to
his Quaker ideals of being a friend to all, especially those whose needs were great. He
worked tirelessly for refugees and asylum seekers at Haslar, and, as chairman of the
Chichester Welfare Trusts, he and that committee helped numerous local people in need.
He was very keen on supporting Chichester’s overseas links, notably that with Chartres,
staying on numerous occasions with Patrick Geroudet while taking part in our exchanges
with our twin city. As a member of the Society of Friends he wrote a small book on
Quakerism in Chichester.
We extend our sincere thoughts to Alec, his partner of 29 years.
Recent Events
Rosie Speer writes: Freshers’ Fair at the University of Chichester, 15th
September
On a beautiful early autumn day some committee members attended the vibrant
Freshers' Fair at Chichester University to raise awareness of the University's corporate
membership. We were approached early on by Simon Growcott from the Music
Department; he is keen to revive links with the Conservatoire in Chartres. Nursing
Students and Sports Studies students also showed an interest in partnerships. History
students and some staff subsequently attended Andrew Smith's talk, Tasteful Protests.
Penny Sessa writes:
Uppark: The French Connection, an illustrated talk by volunteer guide
David Bridges
We were entertained
with David’s slides and
commentary on a lovely
evening and then….
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
As we left Chichester on Thursday 9th September the weather was far from
promising. The further we journeyed up into the Downs the murkier it grew. We met
David Bridges at the main gate and then proceeded to the cafe housed in the former
kitchens with a wonderful cast iron range dominating one wall. Things worsened as we
observed the rain slanting past the windows, obliterating the far-ranging scenery. On a
clear day one is supposed to catch a glimpse the Isle of Wight but all we saw were grey
clouds and more rain.
All was not lost however as the rain soon ceased and we went ahead with our
visit even though it was rather wet under foot. David had entertained us with an
excellent talk a couple of nights before taking us through the various links to France of
the families who had inhabited Uppark. He showed slides of important objects housed
at Uppark which we discovered during the house tour. David, who is “Mr Uppark”
because of his extensive knowledge, provided us with a tour of the gardens and the
structural innovations implemented according to Repton's designs. The symmetry of
the two buildings housing the dairy and kitchens, though aesthetically pleasing, was not
very practical but Repton overcame the inconvenience by having underground passage
ways built. We had hoped to visit these but they were closed (Covid again).
Most interesting was the story of Lady Meade-Fetherstonhaugh becoming a
world expert in the cleaning and conservation of antique draperies through her care of
the soft furnishings at Uppark. She pioneered the use of soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
to cleanse them. Beds of this plant grew round the former kitchen at Uppark.
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
Rosie Speer writes: Tasteful Protests – a talk by Dr Andrew Smith, Reader
in Contemporary History, University of
Chichester
On the 5th October Dr Andrew Smith gave a
fascinating talk about the way the French go
about their political protests. Focussing on the
wine producers of the Languedoc and the sheep
farmers who produce the milk for Roquefort
cheese the talk prompted a lively question and
answer session. Friends of Chartres presented
Andrew with a bottle of wine and we look
forward to future collaborative events with the
University History Department.
Peter Tudge writes: In the
National Interest: Art, the
Sun King and the Academic
Revolution - a talk by
Richard Whincop
On the 9th November we were
royally entertained by a lecture
on the world of French art in the
reign of Louis XIV, centred
mostly on painting, by artist and
art historian Richard Whincop. The immediacy of the connection between his
profession and his subject made for compelling listening and viewing through the
excellent variety of relevant illustrations and the meticulous examination of their subject
matter and artistic, even geometric, construction. The presentation was an urbane and
witty way of contextualising Louis XIV’s aspiration for the State to control the artistic
realm of France. The success of the evening was demonstrated by the lively question and
answer session following the talk.
Ellen Haigh writes:
https://www.chartres.fr/magazine-votre-ville/
Click on this link to the Chartres city magazine. It’s full of interesting articles and links -
from town planning to what to see in Chartres along with an article on Chichester itself.
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
Soline Jerram (neé Newell) writes:
How Soline got her French name
My memories of my father are as a larger-than-life character
who had a way of getting others to support his vision. That
vision really was always centred on making Chichester a
better place for its citizens. Much of his work, still seen today
in the Newell Centre, was for people to come together and
support each other as a community. As a Councillor he was
always an Independent, not bowing to any political
affiliations but priding himself on supporting the things
which make a difference
to people of the area.
We could never go into
town without being
stopped by so many
people walking down the
street to chat. There was
always laughter as he
had a joke for every
occasion.
His role in the twinning of Chichester with the French city of
Chartres was one of which he was forever proud and his
memories of that
period which, along
with his life story, he recorded for posterity include the fact
that there was not complete support for the project by all
Councillors of the time. Concerns about cost and the image
of town representatives having junkets off to foreign climes
formed part of the opposition. He recorded, “I was all for it,
not so much for my generation that only had just finished
the war, but for the youngsters who might, by getting
together with other Europeans, succeed in avoiding
another.” All this happened before my birth, but on an
escorted trip with the Chartres Maire around Chartres
Cathedral when my mother was pregnant, they were shown
the stained-glass window of Sainte Soline. My mother
stated there and then “If I have a girl, she will be called
Soline.”
The picture of the window sent to me on my birth, by the
Maire, still hangs on my wall.
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
Friends of Chartres January – April 2022
Events can be booked by email to focevents1959@gmail.com or by returning the
booking form provided with this edition.
Tuesday, January 18 Sunday February 5
Oxmarket Gallery, East Street The Studio, New Park Centre, Chichester
6.00 – 8.00 pm PO19 7XY
5.30 pm
Private View at Oxmarket Gallery
There will be a talk from a local artist Cine Club showing Potiche, a delightful
about their work comedy starring Catherine Deneuve and
Gerard Depardieu
Entry £5.00 to cover cost of refreshments Entry £5.00
Thursday February 17 Tuesday March 22
64 Restaurant and Bar, Chichester College
Entry £5.00 to cover
6.30 cost
pm of refreshments The Guide Hall, Whyke Lane Chichester
PO19 7US
Annual Dinner
Annual General Meeting
7.00 pm
£21 Members,
£23 Guests.
to include 3 course dinner,
welcome drink and gratuity. There will be a fish and chip
Menu choices will be supper and a talk by
circulated later. Michael Bevis on his aunt’s
visit to Chartres in 1945.
Cost of fish and chips: £12
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
Information Page
President Conversation Circles: January – April
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of
Chichester
2022
Groups meet monthly for lively, informal conversation in
Councillor John Hughes French. We welcome new members, whatever your level of
French at Petit Cercle meetings. For the Cercle Avancé, you
Officers and Committee need to be reasonably fluent to contribute to the
conversation, but we are happy for you to listen if you wish
Chairman: Michael Bevis 781016 to improve your French.
We hope that it will be continue to be possible for us to
Vice Chairman: Anne Scicluna 789065 resume indoor sessions. If not, the conversation groups will
meet on Zoom. Login details will be sent out shortly before
Secretary: Rosie Speer each meeting.
focsecretary1959@gmail.com Petit Cercle du mardi
Treasurer: Stephen Northdale 822148 10.30 - 12.00 (First Tuesday of month)
Tuesday January 4
Tuesday February 1
Clare Apel 783738 Tuesday March 1
Tuesday April 5
Julia Sander 527435 Venue: The Coffee Bar, The Festival Theatre, Oaklands
Park, Chichester PO19 6AP
Annie Barnes 377150
Cercle Avancé
Anne-Louise Briggs 784346
5.30 - 7.00 pm (2nd Monday of month)
Paul Everrett 603513 Monday January 10
Monday February 7
Ellen Haigh 937027 Monday March 7
Monday April 5
David Nason 573716 Venue: The Rainbow Inn, St Paul’s Road,
Chichester PO19 3BW
John Wilton 788833
Petit Cercle du jeudi
10.30 - 12.00 (3rd Thursday of month)
Contributions to Citylink, Thursday January 20
including Just for Fun ideas, Thursday February 17
Thursday March 17
would be very welcome and Thursday April 21
should be sent to Venue: The Coffee Bar, The Festival Theatre, Oaklands
Park, Chichester PO19 6AP
foccitylink1959@gmail.com.
If you would like to attend a conversation circle and
have not done so before, call Julia
Sander 01243 527435.
The City of Chichester twinned, since 1959, with the City of Chartres.
www.friendsofchartres.org.uk
You can also read
